Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Lowell Indiana

Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Lowell IN is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Lowell IN phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Lowell IN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Lowell IN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Lowell IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Indiana campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Lowell IN schools you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Lowell IN. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Lowell IN local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the Indiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Lowell IN phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Indiana schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Lowell IN health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lowell IN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Lowell IN, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist School near Lowell IN

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lowell IN.

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